Celebrated on the 9th of may in my country the holiday has a very speacial meaning.

Let me take you a bit less than 69 years back...
The Second World War launched by allied German, Italien and Japanese forces with entering of the Nazi troops into Poland on the 1st of September. On the 3d of September Great Britain and France proclaimed war against Germany. In April-June German troops invaded Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and France. On the 22d of June in 1941 without proclaiming war german troops (allied with Hungary, Romania and Finland) stepped on the territory of Soviet Union. The part in my homeland's history that is never to be forgotten.
On the 8th of May, 1945 the peace treaty was signed between France&Great Britaind and Germany, and on the 9th of May it was signed again also with Soviet Union, but it was not the end of the most slaughterous war in the XX century. The allied forces maily led by the USA (after the 8th of August, 1945 including Soviet Union) were still struggling with Japanese troops. And the peace treaty here was signed only on the 2d of September, 1945.

61 countries were involved, 80% of Earth population were pulled in, over 72 mln of people are dead...

I love this very holiday, there are not so many ones that make the country united. Taking into consideration the number of Soviet Union people that died during these horrable years (from different statics from 23 up to 42 mln) and my grandma stories and there is no such a family that the war went by, I do always have tearful eyes when I see that there are no so many veterans alive any longer.

I'm posting it tonight as this very evening I'm getting off to my summer residence, where I am about to plunge into gardening and watch the parade (with technics this year!) and wondering whether the jets are going to fly above my roof on their way to the Red Square or not, watching old good movies about the War, weeping a little, mournful and sorrowful keep silent at 7pm to remember what human act of bravery that my countrymen did to make my future possible, how many fathers, sons, husbands were never to see their offsprings' future. I never want their deed to be neglected

First, about "On the 22d of June in 1941 without proclaiming war german troops (allied with Hungary, Romania and Finland) stepped on the territory of Soviet Union". Proclaming the war as far as I understand is not that important as any army gathers intellegence and takes adequate measures. Germany moved a lot of troops to the Soviet Union's western boundary. From the militarily point's of view it is NOT POSSIBLE to miss this huge number of troops and tanks. I believe the Red Army didn't miss this fact. Yet mine fields along the border or event deeper inside the country were not created.

Secondly, one of regional newspapers here has organized a lottery among veterans of the war. Guess what was the prize. A package tour? Big sum of money? No! The winner got some food and strong alcohol.

It’s a great day, happiest and most sad at the same time. My grandpa and three of his brothers went to war; two of them never came back. Oh gosh, I have tears in my eyes now ("это радость со слезами на глазах"). Happy Victory Day!!! C Днем Победы!!!(it also happened to be my b-day)

I'm gonna tell you the same thing I've told other members: please keep this place as an English site as the rule intended. If you'd like to write in a different language, two options to choose: use PM or English translation along the lines. Thanks.

To wllsp:
who ruled the country in the beginning of the war? there were several times told about the exact date of invasion by a very famous spy Richard Zorge. But it was left without notice and we all know what it was a time.
Secondly, yes, I told here 2 years ago not only about the mine fields but about the defense system on the border. Ones were demolished before they were replaced by the new ones.

But does it make the deed of the veterans smaller or of less importance? No. You sound surprising to me.

To sweets: thank you for congratulating as you're the only non-Russian speaking person on this forum who was able to pay homage.

To Cypress: Happy belated birthday! You're a very kind and sweet person here! Happy victory day to you too!

I have already asked about changing the week in history. Am I the only one who consider this as not whole information - to read this and it seems like the nazi was defeated by allied forces of USA and UK? Poppycock!

But does it make the deed of the veterans smaller or of less importance? No. You sound surprising to me.

No, it doesn't. I have just commented that you had said about not proclaming the war. It was told to me lots of times when I was a student at school and I totally believed in this word. Later having read some books I realized that putting accent on not proclaming the war propaganda of the USSR tryed to justify huge failures of the leaders of the USSR.

Tora wrote:To wllsp:
who ruled the country in the beginning of the war? there were several times told about the exact date of invasion by a very famous spy Richard Zorge. But it was left without notice and we all know what it was a time.
Secondly, yes, I told here 2 years ago not only about the mine fields but about the defense system on the border. Ones were demolished before they were replaced by the new ones.

But does it make the deed of the veterans smaller or of less importance? No. You sound surprising to me.

To sweets: thank you for congratulating as you're the only non-Russian speaking person on this forum who was able to pay homage.

To Cypress: Happy belated birthday! You're a very kind and sweet person here! Happy victory day to you too!

I have already asked about changing the week in history. Am I the only one who consider this as not whole information - to read this and it seems like the nazi was defeated by allied forces of USA and UK? Poppycock!

well Tora
victory is victory whther u belong it or not it's must be celebrate cuz. if this victory was not happen only ALLAH knows what's going to be happened